Tips from the Pros

Ever watch a triathlon on TV? How about on your computer? Did you learn anything?

The new ITU World Championship Series is now easily accessible on your computer thanks to Universal Sports. If you haven't heard of it, you should. You can view live and previously recorded sports that would be considered fringe sport compared to the sports regularly shown on your television. They had huge success in May with live Giro d'Italia coverage and most recently the Santa Clara swim meet where Canadian Brent Hayden beat Michael Phelps in the 100 m Free. Currently you can view the World Cup race from Madrid that happened a few weeks ago where British up and comer Brownlee ran a crazy 30:31 (10km)in 38 degrees Celsius to take the title. This weekend Universal Sports is providing live coverage of the big ITU World Championship race in DC this weekend.

So what is my point in all this well you can learn a lot by watching these races. Here are some tips from Gale Bernhardt

During the Swim
The best swimmers lift their heads to sight, only enough to have their goggles clear the water surface. Notice how they separate breathing from sighting to keep their hips from sinking, which keeps their bodies streamlined.

During Transitions
If you are aiming for a podium spot in a sprint or Olympic-distance race, can you do a flying mount? Can you do a flying dismount heading into T2? If you can transition as fast as the ITU athletes can, you've got a significant advantage over your competition.

Also notice their transition set up. Simple and efficient, no junk laying around the bike. See the fast times as well, albeit they usually do not have wetsuits to strip off. Still very fast and efficient.

During the Bike
Elite athletes can corner a bike at high speed and minimize braking. Can you?

During the Run
What does a sub-32:00 10K look like for the men?
What does a sub-35:00 10K look like for the women?

So sit back watch the exciting race but see if you can learn something and take away to improve your own triathlon experience.

See you at at the lake.